FG builds 7 dams, 21 irrigation sites in southwest – Ashiru

• New Executive Directors assume office

By Laide Raheem, Abeokuta

The federal government is building seven new dams in the southwest to boost agriculture and food security. Deji Ashiru, Managing Director of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (O-ORBDA), shared this news.

He spoke while welcoming new Executive Directors appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at O-ORBDA’s head office in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Ashiru also said the government is setting up at least 21 irrigation sites across the six southwest states. These steps aim to make all year-round farming possible and lift food production. He added that President Tinubu’s administration wants to fight hunger. River basin authorities, like O-ORBDA, have been given more tools and power to improve agriculture, supply clean water, and control erosion.

Ashiru congratulated the new directors and promised to work with them. He’s confident their skills will help O-ORBDA meet its goals. Ayobami Oyalowo, Executive Director for Finance and Administration, replied for the group. He said they’ll team up with Ashiru and the board to tackle hunger, as Tinubu envisions.

Speaking to journalists, Oyalowo pledged to use his 25 years of finance experience. He asked staff in his department to support him and promised their welfare comes first. “As a financial expert who has even worked in an organisation similar to O-ORBDA, I will ensure accountability and probity in the allocation of finances to projects to be carried out by this organisation, in line with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.

He added, “As you are aware, the core mandate of river basin development authorities is to boost agriculture and enhance food sufficiency. We shall work assiduously to deliver on this mandate of decapitating hunger. I believe that if Nigerians are properly fed, insecurity and criminal activities will reduce drastically.”

Oyalowo expressed hope that, with their combined expertise, the new directors will help O-ORBDA empower farmers, fight hunger, and make Nigeria food-sufficient.